199 – Stop Waiting for the Bank: Smarter Ways to Fund Your Business
November 25, 2025
If you’ve ever struggled to find funding for your start-up or early-stage business, this episode is for you. Many founders assume that capital raising is only for big corporations or venture-backed tech firms—but as Dr David Cunic reveals, small business owners can access funding too, if they know where to look and how to prepare.
In this episode, Dr David Cunic—entrepreneur, investor, and founder of UCS Advisors—shares practical, real-world advice on how to raise capital even when you’re pre-revenue or under five years old. He explains why clarity of purpose matters, how to avoid the most common fundraising mistakes, and what investors really look for before writing a cheque. You’ll learn the concept of “Dr David’s Green Nuggets”—small, actionable insights that can polish your pitch and prepare you for investment success.
From planning your funding tranches to identifying the right investor profile, David offers a refreshingly transparent view of how to turn your business idea into reality. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to scale, this episode will equip you with the mindset, structure, and tools to secure the capital your business deserves.
Dr David Cunic serves as the CEO of UCS Advisors and is recognized nationally as an expert in investor relations, networking, and professional investment strategy. Leveraging over 18 years of industry experience, Dr Cunic has guided hundreds of founders in raising capital, refining their presentations, offering actionable business insights, and establishing investor-ready pipelines.
He has successfully founded more than ten companies, achieved multiple exits, and led teams exceeding 300 members across sectors including healthcare, science, agriculture, and start-up operations. An Alfred P. Sloan Award recipient, Dr Cunic—known as the “Triple Headed Dragon”—is respected for his extensive expertise in operations, public speaking, and capital acquisition.
As a frequent national speaker and investor judge, Dr Cunic maintains a robust network within both the start-up and investment communities. He is often consulted in high-stakes scenarios with demanding timelines.
A strong advocate for organizational culture, Dr Cunic promotes Positive Mental Attitude as a core operational principle, exemplified by UCS’s PMA Pin initiative—hundreds of which have been distributed among founders, investors, and community leaders. His guiding philosophy, “Always be willing to achieve your greatness,” reflects his commitment to preparation, resilience, and fostering investor-readiness.
